Momentum is building at Benalla for season 2023, with former Saint Jo Toms signing on to coach the club’s A and B-grade netball sides.
After a number of years away from the game to focus on family, Toms said she was more than ready to take on the coaching role again.
“I’m definitely looking forward to it, it was something that I’d missed over the years,” Toms said.
“But obviously priorities change, this year I went and watched a few games and got a bit excited and thought maybe it is time to come back.
“I’m excited to get back and, hopefully, give back and perhaps take the girls to the next level.”
Toms holds an extensive coaching and playing history in netball and basketball, having represented Country Victoria as a junior in both sports, before playing state league netball for a number of years.
Toms played more than 60 A-grade games for Benalla and was part of multiple premierships in the early 2000s.
Most recently she played and coached at Benalla All Blacks from 2013 to 2015.
Casting an eye toward next season Toms said there were a number of things she would look to work on with her side as it looks to take the next step.
“As a personal trainer by trade before my current job, fitness will definitely be a focus,” Toms said.
“Fitness and defence are usually my biggest two focuses, when you’ve got those two things your attack usually just falls into place.
“We want the girls to support each other on and off the court, so that we have each other’s backs when they do get on the court and have a bit of fun while doing it.”
After a fairly mixed 2022 where the Saints finished ninth, there were a number of areas Toms said she would be eager to build on, as she picks up where outgoing coach Kellie Keen left off.
“My biggest thing is working on consistency, mainly off the court in training and commitment that way,” Toms said.
“Training and commitment that way, that’s where I see we could make a huge difference, if we’re a little bit more consistent with coming together and working on our processes then our game day should be a little bit more successful.”